The Team

Executive Director, 2019-

Robert Signom III was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees as the Curator of The Citizens’ Motorcar Company, America’s Packard Museum in July of 2019. He became Executive Director in April of 2022. He is a life member of Packard Automobile Classics, as well as a member of the Antique Automobile Association of America, the Classic Car Club of America, and the Society of Automotive Historians. Rob became the youngest voting member of the Packard Automobile Classics’ Board of Trustees when he founded Tomorrow's Packard Owners in 1992. Rob has also been working in Theatrical Production for over twenty years. Rob has worked on countless productions, concerts, and musicals in New York and regionally. He is also an Eagle Scout, and a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He received his master’s degree in museum studies from Harvard University and wrote his thesis on Women in Automotive History. He is a Board Member of the World Forum for Motor Museums and is listed in Who’s Who North America.

Curator, 2021-

Stu Morris has been working and volunteering at America's Packard museum for more than a decade. Over that time Stu has had the privilege to get to know the collection, the building, and the patrons quite well. His goal as Curator is to deepen that knowledge while maintaining his love for history of the Packard Motor Car Company, the history of the automobile, its effect on our culture, and the history of Dayton, the city which he calls home. Stu is also a proud graduate of Chaminade-Julienne High School.

Head Librarian, 2023-

Mary Ellen Armentrout spent 41 years working in academic, public, and special libraries. She received her undergraduate degree in French from Otterbein College and a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University.

Archivist, 2024-

Abigail Bergsman-Carpenter grew up in the Dayton area and has spent the last 5 years living downtown and experiencing the city's history.  After graduating from the University Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in art history, she relocated to the area to reconnect with family.  In 2021, she began working toward her master's in library and information sciences with a specialization in museum and archival studies.  In this role, she has discovered and cultivated a passion for museum collections management - specifically, digitization of materials for the purposes of greater public access.  When not working, Abigail often finds herself somewhere outdoors with a good book. 

Operations Manager, 2023-

Aaron Derr was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Having parents as educators in the Dayton area for over thirty years, he has a deep-rooted connection and passion for servicing and educating the area. After spending two years at Sinclair Community College, studying Communications and Education, he entered the workforce. Most of his experience lies in the care and service of others in the hospitality industry. Throughout his career, he has found an affinity and passion towards historic buildings, understanding the elegance of a time long past. As a downtown Dayton dweller, he has visited America’s Packard Museum often before becoming Operations Manager, and has always been impressed by the incredible cars in our collection. He feels fortunate to be entrusted with the care and upkeep of this historic building and the automobiles under its roof.

Business Manager, 2023-

Kristina Heaton is passionate about the Miami Valley and all it has to offer. After graduating from Wright State University with an English degree, she landed in the non-profit sector by accident. She has been involved with education, arts, and social institutions- dipping her toe in nearly every aspect of running an organization. Her love of the Dayton area runs deep with her family being residents since the early 1950’s. Her grandfather used to begin stories by first indicating what car he drove during said story. Sadly, he never owned a Packard, but he did own a Nash - which he fondly called ‘an overturned bathtub’. In her free time, Kristina enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She likes a good story and is an avid reader, still holding on to the hope of one day writing a bestseller.

Development Director, 2022-

Mark A. Vargas has a 35-year career in museums and libraries. He was Chief Operating Officer at the Revs Institute, and directed the libraries at St. Cloud State University, Saint Xavier University, and the University of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma. Before that, Mark was an archivist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mark received a M.A. in History and M.L.S. in Library Science from the University of Maryland. Mark is a member of the American Library Association, Association of Moving Image Archivists, American Alliance of Museums, and Society of Automotive Historians. Mark has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles, made numerous professional and public presentations, and served on local, regional, national, and international boards and committees.

Patron Services Manager, 2022-

Neil is a retired Manufacturing Engineer and had volunteered at America’s Packard Museum for several years. Neil came to the Museum when he read a newspaper article about the Museum’s need for docents. With the enouragement of his late spouse Neil wanted to share car stories. He is a native of Kokomo, Indiana which is a “car town.” Kokomo was the home of Apperson, Haynes, Chrysler, and GM facilities and Neil was naturally drawn into car culture. He has had a life-long interest in racing, especially Land Speed Record racing as well as most other forms and formulas. He tried his hand at restoration, but does not have the time to do it to current hobby standards. Neil owned numerous cars over the years and finally purchased his first Porsche in 2015. He traded it for a 911 three years ago and has two 928s awaiting restoration. He is a Life Member of the Engineers Club of Dayton and currently am part of the Board of Governors. He is Program Chair for the Barn Gang and on the Board of the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame committee.

Founding Curator, 1992-2019

A true Daytonian, Bob attended Colonel White High School, Miami University, Washington University, and The Ohio State University, where he received his Juris Doctorate. Bob practiced law as Associate General Counsel at NCR, as well as Smith and Schnacke; Young, Pryor, Lynn and Jerardi; and Green and Green. In 1974, Bob argued a case on behalf of NCR before the Supreme Court of the United States. Bob achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Miami Valley Council. In 1992, Bob founded The Citizens’ Motorcar Company, America’s Packard Museum, at 420 Ludlow Street, Dayton, in the original building of Dayton's Packard Distributorship. He served as its Curator until his death. Bob served as General Counsel for Packard Automobile Classics in the 1990's. Bob was a driver in the La Carrera Panamericana Road Race in Mexico four times, each time finishing the race in a 1952 Packard 200. His love of Classic Cars, especially Packards, remains a source of inspiration and education to a great many people. Bob was larger than life in many ways; he will be remembered for his singular vision, storytelling, sense of adventure, and hearty laugh.